Difference Between Fairy and Faerie

Most of the people use fairy and faerie in the same sense and do not consider having many differences. For them, it is just the difference in spelling and nothing else. Both fairy and faerie are used for two different mythical spirits or figures.

“Fairy” is a word that has been derived from Latin word “fatum,” which can mean “fate.” Fairies are considered to be a group of young and pure spirits. These fairies are considered to elevate to higher levels through their impartial and loving service. Generally, a fairy refers to the young spirit which is in the mid-level of growth. They are considered to be lower to “sylph” and higher to “elf.”

“Faerie” is a word that has been derived from Gaelic “fear shidhe,” which means “man of the shee.”

Unlike the fairies, faeries are considered to be evil, horrid, and mischievous creatures. These mythical figures are portrayed as spirits that know easy ways of stealing. For example, faeries steal children and keep them as slaves or pets.

When compared to faeries, fairies are friendly and nice. They are also good-looking and more handsome then the faeries. Unlike the faeries, fairies can be a bit mischievous but are not dangerous. The faeries are evil, unfriendly, and cruel spirits. The faeries are a bit dangerous also.

When comparing the two spirits, fairies are very playful and kind. The fairies are also cute in comparison to faeries.

An example of a fairy is Tinkerbell and an example of a faerie is a banshee.

Summary:

1.“Fairy” is a word that has been derived from Latin word “fatum,” which can mean “fate.” “Faerie” is a word that has been derived from Gaelic “fear shidhe,” which means “’man of the shee.”
2.Fairies are considered to be a group of young and pure spirits. These fairies are considered to elevate to higher levels through their impartial and loving service.
3.When compared to faeries, fairies are friendly and nice. When comparing the two spirits, fairies are very playful and kind. The fairies are also cute in comparison to faeries.
4.Unlike the faeries, fairies can be a bit mischievous but are not dangerous.
5.Unlike the fairies, faeries are considered to be evil, horrid, and mischievous creatures. These mythical figures are portrayed as spirits that know easy ways of stealing.
6.The fairies are also good-looking and more handsome then the faeries.

The author of this piece keeps insisting that they weren’t as beautiful as modern fairies, and this is, at best, only a partial truth.

Some faerie were also noted for their unearthly beauty, and seducing mortal lovers away from the world. Think of them as closer to minor Greek Gods, in their love lives, at least. But as with the Greek Gods, tragedy often followed those who won their favor. Their gifts were almost always a trick for the greedy, or, if you truly won a place in their hearts, a cautionary tale that would make a good story about curses with a curious upside, or vice versa. For example, imagine an artist who can only reveal the truth – is it a curse or a blessing, or both? Or imagine being invited to remain in their world forever – long after your innocence or your novelty fades…

And this was if they liked you.

If not, you might meet the wild hunt…

Perhaps it’s not quite Greek Gods they should be compared to, but rather, the vampires of Twilight, who belong to an older tradition of stories than anyone is willing to admit.

Though to be fair to those who hate Twilight, even when Shakespeare was making fun of faerie love stories by writing of faerie magic accidentally complicating their own lives, and their queen fell in love with a complete ass…

They were never so ridiculous before.

If they were to pursue a naïve, emotionally vulnerable young woman, they would be doing it on purpose, and it would be just one more reason to fear them. (And they’d be just as happy to prey on young men as naïve and emotionally vulnerable as Edward and Jacob.)

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Written by : Prabhat S.
and updated on July 20, 2011

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